Credit: Nancy Lane

Credit: Nancy Lane

FAR FROM PERFECT: Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, playing his first game of the season, has a pass batted away from
him by safety Antonio Allen during yesterday’s 30-27 loss to the Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.

Credit: Nancy Lane

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski can't make the catch in the 4th quarter.

Credit: Nancy Lane

PICK SIX: Patriots defensive back Logan Ryan intercepts a pass in front of Jets receiver David Nelson during their game last October at the Meadowlands.

Credit: Nancy Lane

Patriots strong safety Logan Ryan rolls over into the end zone after intercepting a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver David Nelson and taking it into the end zone in the 1st quarter.

Credit: Nancy Lane

Credit: Nancy Lane

Jets wide receiver Michael Campbell gets knocks in the air on a kickoff return in the 2nd quarter.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A depleted Patriots defense struggled at times yesterday, but there were also some pivotal stops and terrific plays made.

None was more spectacular than Logan Ryan’s pick-six of Geno Smith in the first quarter of yesterday’s overtime loss to the New York Jets.

The rookie cornerback was playing essentially in place of Aqib Talib, the team’s MVP to this point who missed the game with a hip injury.

Ryan, who obviously had some big shoes to fill, intercepted a Smith pass and ran it back 79 yards for a touchdown to put the Pats up 14-7.

The Jets quarterback had completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver David Nelson two plays earlier in front of Ryan, then went back to the well. Only this time, Ryan anticipated the play, as he jumped the route. There was no one near Ryan as he cruised the length of the field.

“I just think it was a play where all 11 guys did their job,” Ryan said. “The coaches had a great call, we executed it. We took advantage. I was fortunate to make the play.”

Ryan said it felt like an eternity heading in for those final yards into the end zone, as he jogged in, turned around, leaped into the air and celebrated.

“It felt like it took a long time,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure no one was chasing me and make sure I got into the end zone for the team.”

The interception marked the 34th straight regular season game the Pats had forced a turnover, which is an NFL record.

The Pats, of course, were not only playing without Talib, but were also without defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and linebacker Jerod Mayo, who are out for the season, as well as defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who missed his second game with a knee injury.

Talib has been a force in the secondary, taking out the top receiving threat from each opponent each week. He picked off Smith twice during the 13-10 win over the Jets in Week 2.

Smith finished 17-for-33 for 233 yards with a touchdown and the interception. He was sacked four times. The Pats secondary had an answer for everyone save for receiver Jeremy Kerley, who had eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.

“It wasn’t good enough, obviously,” Ryan said. “We came in here with expectations to win, and we left a couple plays out there on the field.”

Ryan fared pretty well on Nelson, winning some battles and losing others. The Jets receiver caught four passes for 80 yards. Ryan wouldn’t talk about the impact of not having Talib.

“We don’t believe in those excuses,” Ryan said. “It’s the next man stepping up. That’s why they drafted me here, to come in and play and do my job, along with other guys. I just think, talking for myself,

“I need to play a little bit better and make a few more plays to help the team win.”

Ryan, a native of Berlin, N.J., is one of the many Rutgers players on the team.

“It’s always good to be back home,” Ryan said. “I wish we would have got the win, it would have been a lot better. But it’s definitely cool to play close to my hometown.”